Diffuser mounting arrangement for lighting fixtures

ABSTRACT

A mounting arrangement for the diffuser of a recessed lighting fixture which enables the diffuser to be selectively securely retained in a normal position closing the open end of a light housing, and an actuated position outwardly spaced from the open end of the housing wherein access to the housing interior for servicing, or the like is facilitated. The arrangement is such as to continuously support the diffuser during movement between the normal and actuated positions and to positively lock the diffuser in the actuated as well as the normal position. Inadvertent return of the diffuser from actuated to normal position is thereby prevented.

United States Patent [72] inventor [54] DIFFUSER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENTFOR LIGHTING FIXTURES 8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl. 240/147, 240/78 [51] Int. Cl F2lv 17/00 [50] Field ofSearch 240/147, I 78, 146

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,855,504 10/ 1958 MacDougall et al 2,856,515 10/1958 Leichtung 240/147 2,869,908 1/ 1959 Ford1 240 147 3,142,447 7/1964 Bodian 240 147 3,370,164 2/ 1968 Green 240/147 Primary Examiner-John M. I-Ioran Assistant ExaminerRichard M. SheerAttorneyGardner & Zimmerman ABSTRACT: A mounting arrangement for thediffuser of a recessed lighting fixture which enables the diffuser to beselectively securely retained in a normal position closing the open endof a light housing, and an actuated position outwardly spaced from theopen end of the housing wherein access to the housing interior forservicing, or the like is facilitated. The arrangement is such as tocontinuously support the diffuser during movement between the normal andactuated positions and to positively lock the diffuser in the actuatedas well as the normal position. Inadvertent return of the difi'user fromactuated to normal position is thereby prevented.

PATENTED FEB 2 Ian ATTORNEYS DIFFUSER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR LIGHTINGFIXTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With most recessed lightingfixtures it is desirable that the' diffuser be selectively movablebetween a normal position in closing relation to the open end of therecessed light housing of the fixture, and in actuated position spacedfrom the open end of the housing wherein access to the housing interioris facilitated. The diffuser is advantageously continuously sup portedfrom the housing during movement between and in the respective positionsin order to simplify the changing of .light bulbs or other servicingfunctions requiring access to the housing interior. In this regard it.is merely necessary to manipulate the diffuser to its retentivelysupported actuated position to afford access to the housing interior,whereupon both hands are free to conduct the servicing function.Heretofore various mounting arrangements have been provided toaccomplish the previously noted retentive support and selective movementof the diffuser between the nonnal closed and actuated open positions.Many of these mountingarrangements have been spring operated tofacilitate automatic return of the diffuser from open to closedposition. Although means have been provided to retain the diffuser inits actuated open position upon movement thereto, the retention meanshave generally not been such as to provide a positive-locking action forpreventing undesirable inadvertent spring loaded return of the diffuserto its closed position. Where retention mechanisms have been arranged toprovide a positive locking action, they have been overly complex indesign and of prohibitively high cost, while being cumbersome tooperate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a springoperated diffuser mounting arrangement for recessed lighting fixtureshaving positive locking retention means of relatively simple designwhich yet enable the diffuser to be selectively positively locked in, orreleased from an actuated open position in a readily manipulativemanner.

The diffuser mounting arrangement of the present invention .is such thatin response to movement of the diffuser to its actu ated open positiondisplaced from the open end of the light housing, the retention meansare automatically operable to positively lock the diffuser therein. Thediffuser may then be unobstructively pivoted away from the housing toprovide for ticularly important feature of the invention, the retentionmeans are automatically operable, in response to subsequent movement ofthe diffuser from actuated position in a direction away from thehousing, to release the diffuser for spring loaded return to its normalposition in closing relation to the open end of the housing.

In the accomplishment of the foregoing, the diffuser mountingarrangement of the presentinvention generally includes a pair ofdiffuser support mechanisms adapted to be secured in diametricallyopposed relation to the interior wall of a light housing adjacent anopen end thereof. Each support mechanism includes aslide plate slidablytranslatable longitudinally of a guide member securable to the housing.The slide plates are arranged at one end for securance to the diffuserand are spring loaded relative to the guide members in the direction ofthe interior of the housing to normally hold the diffuser in closingrelation to the open'end thereof. The slide I position. Moreparticularly, each latch has one end secured in outwardly spacedrelation to the surface of the slide plate and full access to theinterior thereof. In accordance with a parinto engagement with the platesurface. Each guide cam then preferably includes a platform having thenotch therein secured to the guide member in outwardly spaced relationto the slide plate, and a resilient tongue inwardly inclined from theplatform towards the latch into engagement with the surface of the slideplate. Upon translation of the slide plate in the direction of the guidecam, the latch is urged outwardly in passing over the tongue to aposition wherein the hook portion is resiliently snapped inwardly intopositively locked engagement with the notch. When the slide plate issubsequently translated a slight distance in the same direction, thehook portion is resiliently urged inwardly through the notch intoengagement with the surface of the slide plate, thereby releasing theslide plate for spring loaded return of the diffuser to its normalposition. During the return movement of the slide plate, the resilienttongue yields to permit the hook portion of the latch to passthereunder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a sectional view of alighting fixture embodying'the diffuser mounting arrangement of thepresent invention, the difiuser being depicted in its normal closedposition relative to the light housing.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. I, but depicting the diffuser in itsactuated open position relative to the light housing.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a diffuser support mechanism of themounting arrangement, the parts of the mechanism being depicted inposition to retentively support the diffuser in its normally closedposition.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken at line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the positions ofparts of the support mechanism during translation towards the actuatedopen position of the diffuser.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, but illustratingthe parts of the mechanism in positively locked relation to retentivelysupport the diffuser in its actuated position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the mechanism with the partsin the same relation as in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary. view similar to FIG. 57, but illustrating thepositions of the pans just prior to release from locked relation.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 57 and 9, but illustrating thepositions of the parts of the mechanism during spring loaded returntranslation of the diffuser to normal position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS section, although samemay be alternatively of other cross sections, such as rectangular. Thehousing is closed at one end and provided with an opening at the other,while an outwardly flared supporting flange 13 projects from the housingadjacent its open end. The flange is adapted toengage the upper orunexposed surface of a ceiling 14, or other wall, about an opening 16provided therein to thus support the housing in recessed positionrelative to the ceiling with only a small portion adjacent the open endof the housing extending into the ceiling opening. A socket 17 isprovided within the housing at the closed end thereof for receiving alight bulb l8, and a junction box 19 is mounted upon the closed end ofthe housing to facilitate electrical wiring of the socket. Alternativeforms of light sources may of course be similarly mounted within thehousing in place of the illustrated single bulb. In any event, it willbe appreciated that with the housing mounted in recessed positionrelative to the ceiling, access to the housing interior for purposes ofreplacing the bulb I8, or other light source, or otherwise servicing theinterior, is only provided through the open lower end of the housing.

The open lower end of the light housing 12 is conventionally closed by adiffuser 21, or equivalent light transmitting element. To facilitatemounting of the diffuser there is provided a mounting ring 22 which, inthe illustrated case, has inwardly and outwardly projecting annularflanges 23 and 24, respectively, at its lower end. The diffuser isprovided with an outwardly extending annular flange 26 which is seatedupon the flange 23 and fitted within the upwardly extending flange 27 ofring 22. With the ring positioned with its flange 27 concentricallydisposed within the open lower end of the light housing 12, as shown inFIG. 1, the diffuser 21 will fully close the opening of the housing, andthe outwardly projecting flange 24 of the ring will flushly engage thelower surface of the ceiling 14 about the opening 16. As a result thelight housing and opening are neatly obscured from view.

In accordance with the particularly salient aspects of the presentinvention, a diffuser mounting arrangement is provided to selectivelyretentively support the diffuser unit formed by the diffuser 21 and ring22 in the above noted normal position in closing relation to the open ofthe housing, or in a positively locked actuated position downwardlydisplaced therefrom, as shown in phantom line in FIG. 2. In the actuatedposition, the diffuser mounting ring may be unobstructively pivoteddownwardly to the full line position depicted in FIG. 2 to permit freeaccess to the housing interior for purposes of changing the bulb 18, orthe like. More particularly, the diffuser mounting arrangement includesa pair of diffuser support mechanisms 28 adapted to be secured indiametrically opposed relation to the interior wall of housing 12adjacent its open lower end. In this regard, each mechanism preferablyincludes a guide member 29 of substantially channel shaped configurationincluding a rectangular web 31 having parallel spaced side legs 32 and33 projecting right angularly from the opposite longitudinal sidesthereof. The width of leg 32 (i.e., dimension of the leg in a directionnormal to the web) is substantially greater than that of leg 33. Legs 32and 33 are respectively formed with right-angularly inwardly turnedretention flanges 34 and 36 in parallel spaced relation to the web. Thelegs 32 and 33 and flanges 34 and 36, together with the web 31 thusrespectively define a pair of opposed guide channels which are oflsetfrom each other in a direction normal to the web. The guide members 29are secured to the interior wall of housing 12 in diametric oppositionadjacent its open lower end and with longitudinal orientations. In theillustrated case securance of each guide member is facilitated by meansof an expansion pin 37 and tab 38 projecting outwardly from the web 31and extending through the wall of the hous- Each support mechanism 28further includes an elongated rectangular slide plate 39 substantiallyconformed to the dimensions of the web 31 of the guide member 29. Theopposite longitudinal sides of the plate 39 are provided withright-angularly projecting rails 41 and 42 which respectively slidablyengage the channels defined by the side legs 32 and 33, flanges 34 and36, and web 3] of the guide member. The slide plate is spring loadedwith respect to the guide member to a normal position wherein theopposite ends of the plate are flush with the opposite ends of the webof the guide member, as best shown in FIG. 5. In this regard, tabs 43and 44 preferably project respectively from one end of guide member sideleg 33 and the opposite end of slide plate rail 42, and a spring 46 issecured therebetween to resiliently urge the plate to the previouslynoted normal position. The slide plate may, of course, be pulled againstthe loading of the spring to an extended actuated position, as bestshown in FIG. 6.

To facilitate securance of the diffuser 21 and mounting ring 22 to theslide plates 39 of the support mechanisms 28, the lower end of eachplate is preferably formed with a hook 47 which projects beyond thecorresponding end of the web of the guide member 29. The hooks of theslide plates are arranged for releasable connection with links 48pivotally secured to the ring 22 at diametrically opposed positions,preferably at the outer side of the upwardly extending flange 27. Hence,with the links engaging the hooks and the plates in their normalretracted positions, the diffuser and mounting ring are supported intheir normal positions in closing relation to the open lower end of thehousing I2 and in engagement with the lower surface of the ceiling 14,as shown in FIG. 1. Upon pulling downward on the diffuser and ring, theslide plates are translated to their extended actuated positions and thediffuser and ring are displaced from the open lower end of the housingto the actuated open position shown in phantom line in FIG. 2. Positivelocking of the plates in their actuated positions, and thus retentivesupport of the diffuser and ring in actuated position, is facilitated ina manner subsequently described. One of the links 48 may then bedetached from the associated hook 47 so that the ring and diffuser maybe swung downwardly to the full line'position of FIG. 2 to permit freeaccess to the interior of the light housing 12. With the link reattachedto the hook, the ring and diffuser are returned to their normal positionunder the loading of springs 46 upon release of the slide plates 39 fromtheir locked condition.

As a particularly important feature of the present invention, each ofthe support mechanisms 28 includes retention means of unique design forpositively locking the slide plate 39 in the previously noted extendedactuated position. Such retention means comprises a resilient latch 49secured to the upper or distal end of plate 39 relative to hook 47 and aresilient guide cam 51 secured to the elevated side leg 32 of guidemember 29 at the proximal end thereof relative to the hook. The guidecam is formed with a notch 52 which is engageable by the latch 49 whenthe plate is in its extended actuated position. MOre particularly, thelatch is provided as a resilient elongated rectangular leaf 53 having alaterally projecting V- shaped hook portion 54 at one end. The oppositeend of the leaf 53 is secured to the slide plate in outwardly spacedrelation to the surface thereof. In this regard, a lug 56 projectsright-angularly outward from the upper end of the slide platelongitudinally centrally thereof. The end of the leaf is secured to thelug such that the leaf is inclined inwardly therefrom towards thesurface of the plate to resiliently engage the hook portion 54therewith. The hook portion is reentrantly directed inwardly towards theplate and upwardly towards the lug 56.

The guide cam 51 includes a rectangular platform 57 projectingright-angularly inward from side leg 32 in parallel spaced relation tothe surface of the slide plate and such platform has the notch 52 fonnedtherein. The cam further includes a resilient tongue 58 inclinedinwardly and upwardly from the platform, i.e., in the direction of thelatch, into resilient contact with the surface of the plate. It isimportant to note that the width dimension of the notch is less than thereentrant longitudinal extent of the hook portion 54.

With the positive locking retention means provided as physicallydescribed above, upon translation of the slide plate 39 downwardlyagainst the loading of spring 46, the hook portion 54 of the latch 49encounters the tongue 58 of the guide cam 5]. Continued translation ofthe plate causes the hook portion to ride outwardly upon the tongue58.into contact with the platform 57, as depicted in FIG. 6, the leaf 53at this time resiliently yielding in the outward direction. When thehook portion encounters the notch 52 the resiliency of the leaf snapsthe hook portion inwardly into engagement with the notch, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, thereby positively locking the slide plate in extendedactuated position. To release the slide plate for return translation,under the influence of spring 46, to normal position, it is merelynecessary to translate the slide plate a short distance downward. Theouter surface of the hook portion then encounters the lower edge of thenotch as shown in FIG. 9, and is guided inwardly therethrough under theresilient force of the leaf back into engagement with the surface of theslide plate. The hook portion is thus disengaged from the notch tothereby free the slide plate for return upward translation to its normalposition. During return translation of the plate the resilient tongue 58yields outwardly upon being engaged by the outer surface of the hookportion, as shown in FIG. 10. The tongue thus permits the hook portionto pass thereunder during the return translation of the slide plate.

open end, a diffuser'unit for closing said open end, and a pair' ofopposed diffuser support mechanisms'securedto the interior wall of saidhousing adjacent the open end thereof, said support mechanism secured tosaid diffuser unit and adapted to retentitively selectively support samein a normal position in closing relation to the open end of said housingand an actuated position spaced from the open end of said housing, saidsupport mechanisms each including a guide'mernber secured longitudinallyof said interior wall of. saidlhousing adjacent said open end thereof, aslide plate mounted for slidable translation longitudinally of saidguide member between normal retracted and actuated extended positionsthereof respectively when said slide plate is in said retracted andextended positions, spring loading'means coupled between said slideplate and said guide member for resiliently urging said slide plate tosaid retracted position, releasableretention means carried by said slideplate and by said guide member for cooperative positive lockingengagement when said slide plate is in said extended position, saidretention means comprising a resilient latch carried by said slide plateand a resilient guide cam secured to said guide member and resilientlyengaging said plate, said cam having a notch, said camoperable to guidesaid latch into locking engagement with said notch in resp'onsetotranslation of said plate to said extended position and to guide saidlatch to a position of disengagement from said notch in response tofurther translation said plate in a direction away from said retractedposition.

2. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, further defined by saidlatch having a first-end secured to said plate in outwardly spacedrelation to the outer surface thereof anda second end formed with a hookportion resilientlyurged inwardly into engagement with said outersurface of said plate, and said guide cam having a platfonn' with saidnotch formed therein secured to said guide member in outwardly spacedparallel relation to said outer surface of said plate and a resilienttongue inwardly inclined from said platform towards said latch intoengagement with said outer surface of said plate, said tongue engageableby said hook portion to guide same into engagement with said hookportion projecting laterally therefrom, said leaf inwardly inclined fromthe first end thereof to resiliently engage said hook portion with saidouter surface of said plate, said hook portion being of V-shapedconfiguration and reentrantly.

inwardly directed towards said plate and longitudinally towards saidfirst end of said leaf. I

, 4. A lighting fixture according to claim 3, further defined by saidnotch having a width less than the reentrant longitudinal extent of saidhook portion.

5. A lighting fixture comprising a light housing having an open end, adiffuser unit for closing said open end, and a pair of opposed diffusersupport mechanisms secured to the interior wall of said housing adjacentthe open end thereof, said support mechanisms secured to said diffuserunit and adapted to retentitively selectively support same in a normalposition in closing relation to the open end of said housing and anactuated position spaced from the open end of said housing, said supportmechanism each including a guide member secured longitudinally of saidinterior wall of said housing adjacent "said open end thereof, a slideplatemounted for slidable translation longitudinally of said guidemember between normal retracted and actuated extended positions relativethereto, said slide plate secured to said diffuser unit to support samein said normal and actuated positions thereof respectively when saidslide plate is in said retracted and extended positions, spring loadingmeans coupled between said slide plate and said guide member forresiliently urging said slide plate to said retracted position,releasable retention means carried by said slide plate and by said uidemember for cooperative positive locking engagement w en sard slide plateis m said extended position, said guide member being of generallychannel shaped configurationincluding a rectangular web having first andsecond parallel spaced side legs projecting right angularly from theopposite longitudinal sides thereof, said first side leg having adimension in a direction normal to said web substantially greater thanthat of said second side leg, said side legs 'having right-angularlyinwardly turned flanges in parallel spaced relation to said web, saidside legs and flanges defining with said web a pair of longitudinallyextending guide channels, and said slide plate being of rectangularconfiguration substantially conformed to said web and havingright-angularly projecting rails along the opposite longitudinal sidesthereof slidably engaging said guide channels.

6. A lighting fixture according to claim 5, further defined by saidreleasable retention means comprising a latch including an elongatedrectangular resilient leaf having a first end secured to the distal endof said plate relative to said diffuser unit in outwardly spacedrelation to the outer surface of said plate and a hook portionprojecting laterally from the second end of said leaf, said leafinwardly inclined from the first end thereof to resiliently engage saidhook portion with said outer surface of said plate, said hook portionbeing of V-shaped configuration and reentrantly inwardly directedtowards said plate and longitudinally towards said first end of saidleaf, and a resilient guide cam having a rectangular platform projectingright-angularly inward from said first side leg of said guide member inparallel spaced relation to said web at the proximal end thereofrelative to said diffuser unit, said platform having a notch therein,said cam having a resilient tongue inwardly inclined from said platformtowards said latch into engagement with said outer surface of saidplate, said tongue engageable by 'said hook portion to guide same intoengagement with said notch.

7. A lighting fixture according to claim 6, further defined by saidnotch having a width less than the reentrant longitudinal extend of saidhook portion.

8. A lighting fixture according to claim 7, further defined by saidspring loading means comprising a' tab projecting from said second sideleg of said guide member at the distal end thereof relative to saiddiffuser unit, a second tab projecting from the corresponding rail ofsaid slide plate at the proximal end thereof relative to said diffuserunit, and a spring secured between said first and second tabs.

1. A lighting fixture comprising a light housing having an open end, adiffuser unit for closing said open end, and a pair of opposed diffusersupport mechanisms secured to the interior wall of said housing adjacentthe open end thereof, said support mechanism secured to said diffuserunit and adapted to retentitively selectively support same in a normalposition in closing relation to the open end of said housing and anactuated position spaced from the open end of said housing, said supportmechanisms each including a guide member secured longitudinally of saidinterior wall of said housing adjacent said open end thereof, a slideplate mounted for slidable translation longitudinally of said guidemember between normal retracted and actuated extended positions thereofrespectively when said slide plate is in said retracted and extendedpositions, spring loading means coupled between said slide plate andsaid guide member for resiliently urging said slide plate to saidretracted position, releasable retention means carried by said slideplate and by said guide member for cooperative positive lockingengagement when said slide plate is in said extended position, saidretention means comprising a resilient latch carried by said slide plateand a resilient guide cam secured to said guide member and resilientlyengaging said plate, said cam having a notch, said cam operable to guidesaid latch into locking engagement with said notch in response totranslation of said plate to said extended position and to guide saidlatch to a position of disengagement from said notch in response tofurther translation of said plate in a direction away from saidretracted position.
 2. A lighting fixture according to claim 1, furtherdefined by said latch having a first end secured to said plate inoutwardly spaced relation to the outer surface thereof and a second endformed with a hook portion resiliently urged inwardly into engagementwith said outer surface of said plate, and said guide cam having aplatform with said notch formed therein secured to said guide member inoutwardly spaced parallel relation to said outer surface of said plateand a resilient tongue inwardly inclined from said platform towards saidlatch into engagement with said outer surface of said plate, said tongueengageable by said hook portion to guide same into engagement with saidnotch.
 3. A lighting fixture according to claim 2, further defined bysaid latch comprising an elongated rectangular resilient leaf having afirst end secured to said plate in outwardly spaced relation to saidouter surface thereof and a second end with said hook portion projectinglaterally therefrom, said leaf inwardly inclined from the first endthereof to resiliently engage said hook portion with said outer surfaceof said plate, said hook portion being of V-shaped configuration andreentrantly inwardly directed towards said plate and longitudinallytowards said first end of said leaf.
 4. A lighting fixture according toclaim 3, further defined by said notch having a width less than thereentrant longitudinal extent of said hook portion.
 5. A lightingfixture comprising a light housing having an open end, a diffuser unitfor closing said open end, and a pair of opposed diffuser supportmechanisms secured to the interior wall of said housing adjacent theopen end thereof, said support mechanisms secured to said diffuser unitand adapted to retentitively selectively support same in a normalposition in closing relation to the open end of said housing and anactuated position spaced from the open end of said housing, said supportmechanism each including a guide member secured longitudinally of saidinterior wall of said housing adjacent said open end thereof, a slideplate mounted for slidable translation longitudinally of said guidemember between normal retracted and actuated extended positions relativethereto, said slide plate secured to said diffuser unit to support samein said normal and actuated positions thereof respectively when saidslide plate is in said retracted and extended positions, spring loadingmeans coupled between said slide plate and said guide member forresiliently urging said slide plate to said retracted position,releasable retention means carried by said slide plate and by said guidemember for cooperative positive locking engagement when said slide plateis in said extended position, said guide member being of generallychannel shaped configuration including a rectangular web having firstand second parallel spaced side legs projecting right angularly from theopposite longitudinal sides thereof, said first side leg having adimension in a direction normal to said web substantially greater thanthat of said second side leg, said side legs having right-angularlyinwardly turned flanges in parallel spaced relation to said web, saidside legs and flanges defining with said web a pair of longitudinallyextending guide channels, and said slide plate being of rectangularconfiguration substantially conformed to said web and havingright-angularly projecting rails along the opposite longitudinal sidesthereof slidably engaging said guide channels.
 6. A lighting fixtureaccording to claim 5, further defined by said releasable retention meanscomprising a latch including an elongated rectangular resilient leafhaving a first end secured to the distal end of said plate relative tosaid diffuser unit in outwardly spaced relation to the outer surface ofsaid plate and a hook portion projecting laterally from the second endof said leaf, said leaf inwardly inclined from the first end thereof toresiliently engage said hook portion with said outer surface of saidplate, said hook portion being of V-shaped coNfiguration and reentrantlyinwardly directed towards said plate and longitudinally towards saidfirst end of said leaf, and a resilient guide cam having a rectangularplatform projecting right-angularly inward from said first side leg ofsaid guide member in parallel spaced relation to said web at theproximal end thereof relative to said diffuser unit, said platformhaving a notch therein, said cam having a resilient tongue inwardlyinclined from said platform towards said latch into engagement with saidouter surface of said plate, said tongue engageable by said hook portionto guide same into engagement with said notch.
 7. A lighting fixtureaccording to claim 6, further defined by said notch having a width lessthan the reentrant longitudinal extend of said hook portion.
 8. Alighting fixture according to claim 7, further defined by said springloading means comprising a tab projecting from said second side leg ofsaid guide member at the distal end thereof relative to said diffuserunit, a second tab projecting from the corresponding rail of said slideplate at the proximal end thereof relative to said diffuser unit, and aspring secured between said first and second tabs.